The fisheries play significant roles to social and economic of the world. Marine productions provide a primary source of protein to people and also contribute the livelihood to many sectors, i.e. fisher, trader etc. Many Southeast Asia countries are among the highest producers of fishery products in the world. However, during the past several decades, the growing international, regional and national demands for marine products have led to the continued development and modernization of fishing technology. Unfortunately, this increased demands and the corresponding technology response have resulted in the over- exploitation of many fishery resources in the world.

To avoid the ASEAN fisheries catch becoming its downward trend same as globally. To promote sustainable fisheries, over the past decade SEAFDEC has provided technical support to explore the under-utilized offshore fisheries resources and enhance fisheries resources through various programs, e.g. technical meetings, workshops, training courses and research studies on fisheries resource exploration, fisheries abundance, stock assessment as well as artificial habitat installation.

To enhance the sustainable utilization of fisheries resources in the region, SEAFDEC will implement the project entitled “Sustainable Utilization of Marine Fisheries Resources and Resource Enhancement in Southeast Asia” from 2020 to 2024. The key activities for this project include organizing the regional consultation meetings and capacity development training courses, conducting research surveys, developing the application of Fisheries Geographic Information System (FGIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) as well as enhancing fisheries resources and its habitat. It is expected that the livelihood for marine fishers are secured and stable through the sustainable utilization of marine fisheries resources and resource enhancement in the Southeast Asia region.

Over a half of the world’s people obtains a significant source of protein from seafood. In Southeast Asia, this proportion is significantly higher. The Southeast Asian region is blessed with the high productivity of fisheries resources because of the rich ecosystems such as dense mangrove forests and seagrass beds sustained by the rich effluence of nutrients from land. However, over several decades, fisheries in Southeast Asia have exceeded its point of sustainability. Many of the commercially important fishery resources in the region have declined due to many factors e.g. overfishing, illegal fishing, use of destructive fishing practices and environmental degradation.

As reflecting to the decline of fisheries resources in Southeast Asia, SEAFDEC has conducted a series of activities to promote sustainable fisheries for fishers and fishing communities in the region. For example, SEAFDEC under the JTF6 conducted two (2) activities, such as the “Off-shore Fisheries Resource Exploration in Southeast Asia” and the “Promotion of Sustainable Fisheries Resources Enhancement Measures in Critical Habitats/Fishing Grounds in Southeast Asia” over the last 7 years. This is in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 14 (Conserve and Sustainably Use the Oceans, Seas and Marine Resources for Sustainable development). Based on the lesson learnt regarding promoting sustainable fisheries, it has revealed that effective strategies and management as well as science-based knowledge on marine resources are a prerequisite for the sustainable utilization and enhancement of fisheries resources. In this connection, to further support and encourage the SEAFDEC Member Countries are ongoing challenges in the sustainable utilization of fisheries resources through the project entitled “Sustainable Utilization of Marine Fisheries Resources and Resource Enhancement in Southeast Asia” under the JTF 6-II is ongoing challenge.

The project is not gender-sensitive but neutral and equalized.

4.1 Logical Framework 

Strengthened management of marine fisheries resources in Southeast Asia through improved technical capacities

Technical capacities of human resources (i.e. junior fisheries officers and researchers) to conduct marine fisheries resources and oceanographic research/survey improved in Southeast Asia

Activity 1.1: Regional training on design of sampling gear for fisheries resources research survey (Year 2020)

Activity 1.2: Regional training on fisheries oceanographic (Year 2021)

Activity 1.3: Regional training on research cruise planning for marine fisheries resources and oceanographic survey (Year 2022)

Activity 1.4: Regional training on data collection and fisheries resources stock assessment (Year 2023)

Activity 1.5: Research and human resources development on microplastic and marine debris in SEA (Year 2024)

Activity 1.6: IEC materials for regional trainings

Technical knowledge, technical skills and field experience of SEAFDEC staff and member countries’ researchers improved

Activity 2.1: Participation of SEAFDEC staff or/and member countries’ researchers in a research/ survey cruise

Activity 2.2: Participation of SEAFDEC staff or/and member countries’ researchers in a regional / international meeting on fisheries resources and stock assessment

Research cruise plan for research/training vessels of SEAFDEC and member countries developed

Activity 3.1: Technical consultation meeting to develop a research cruise plan for research/ training vessels of SEAFDEC and member countries

Scientific knowledge to support fisheries management on transboundary fisheries resources in Sub-region

Activity 4.1: Technical consultation meetings on identification of transboundary fisheries resources and geographical area

Activity 4.2: Technical consultation/ Workshop/training on monitoring the status of transboundary fisheries resources in Sub-region

Activity 4.3: Participation in a national / regional / international meeting to disseminate the survey results and management on the transboundary fisheries resources

Application of Fisheries Geographic Information System (FGIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) for monitoring marine fisheries resources and environment in Southeast Asia

Activity 5.1: Regional technical meeting or workshop or training on utilization of FGIS and RS to improve fisheries management (Year 2020-2024)

Activity 5.2: Participation in a national / regional / international meeting to disseminate the FGIS and RS to improve fisheries management in SEA

Resource enhancement through the installation of artificial habitat

Activity 6.1: Technical consultation meeting on the impacts for fisheries resources and marine environment by the installation of artificial habitat (Year 2020 and 2024)

Activity 6.2: Survey on the impacts for fisheries resources and marine environment by the installation of artificial habitat (Year 2021-2022)

Activity 6.3: Training workshop on the survey results of the impacts for fisheries resources and marine environment by the installation of artificial habitat (Year 2023)